This interdisciplinary, skills-focused course parallels the other component courses of the full-time Academic Bridging Program, supplementing those courses and helping students integrate their entire Academic Bridging experience, while providing intensive, workshop-style training in the fundamental skills needed for success in further university studies in the Humanities and Social Sciences. The course will also provide academic advising and planning, to help students understand and navigate university culture. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This interdisciplinary, skills-focused course parallels the other component courses of the full-time ABP Science Option, supplementing those courses and helping students integrate their entire Academic Bridging experience, while providing intensive, workshop-style training in the fundamental skills needed for success in further university studies in Mathematics and the Sciences. The course will also provide academic advising and planning, to help students understand and navigate university culture. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This interdisciplinary, foundational course provides an introduction to contemporary Canadian society. The course includes the study of geography, politics, literature and culture through a historical framework of the twentieth century. It also emphasizes particular themes including indigenous issues, Quebec nationalism, gender/women's issues and immigration/multiculturalism. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This discipline based, writing intensive course introduces essential rhetorical and critical skills, focusing on how to recognize major literary forms and how to read and analyze outstanding classic and contemporary literary works of drama, poetry and fiction. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This interdisciplinary course introduces the major issues regarding the sustainability of the global environment in the face of human development by integrating humanities and social science with the fundamental concept of environmental science. It examines major environmental problems, such as rapid climate change and land degradation as well as the role and impact of government, economics, and ethics on environmental issues. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course provides an interdisciplinary focus on key topics relevant to Indigenous communities, historically and in the present. Students will be introduced to diverse cultures, communities, and worldviews of Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island (particularly Canada) and how they have been affected by colonialism. Emphasis will be placed on the ways Indigenous peoples are resisting social, economic, political, and environmental injustices, while revitalizing their identities, knowledges, and communities and creating space for the expression of Indigenous voices.

Storytelling that prioritizes the perspectives and worldviews of Indigenous peoples will guide students’ learning about course topics, issues, and concepts. Students will be encouraged to connect their own storied identities and perspectives to course themes and issues. Classes will involve a mix of interactive lectures, class discussion, student-led learning opportunities, and field trips. Class time and assignments will also be devoted to helping students build their critical thinking, reading, and writing skills towards the completion of a research-based essay due at the end of the year. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This interdisciplinary course provides an introduction to the cultural and social impacts of present-day popular mass media. Themes explored include the economic and political forces that shape the media world, the role of technology, and issues of representation, gender, and social justice. The course examines a wide range of texts, emphasizing popular culture produced in Canada, and students will have the opportunity to draw extensively on their own interactions with popular media. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course focuses on mathematical concepts and skills needed for success in First Year university Math and Science courses. Students will develop quantitative reasoning abilities required to critique arguments and make decisions, and will gain a deep understanding of functions modeling relationships. The course highlights multiple representations of each topic, emphasizing connections, and workshop-style sessions enable students to strengthen the skills they learn. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course covers the fundamental knowledge and skills needed for success in First Year university Chemistry and other Sciences such as Biology. Topics include atoms, elements, and compounds; the chemical and physical properties of gases, liquids, and solids; chemical reactions; and the importance of chemistry in understanding the world around us, with attention to how it can address issues in medicine, the environment, and sustainability. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course explores diverse, under-acknowledged narratives of people, such as Indigenous and racialized peoples, within the territories currently known as Canada to challenge monolithic, linear, and uncritical representations of this country's past and future. Archival materials, maps, place names, art, literature, film, and other texts will be approached from interdisciplinary perspectives to reveal different orientations to historical events, social injustices, and futures of this territory. Open only to Academic Bridging Program students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Have you ever watched a pundit’s passionate rant over financial crisis on TV and wondered whether he was right or wrong? Did you get the full story after watching movies like Margin Call or The Big Short? What was the efficiency market versus behavioral finance debate all about? Did you wonder why everyone in the financial press seem to be calling for a lower debt/equity ratio on banks in the post-crisis era? If you find yourself think about those questions, this is the course for you. We will start from some basic building blocks of finance, such as time value of money and discounting, and proceed to look at some of the important financial controversies you have read or heard in the pop culture or media. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Introduction to financial mathematics, interest measurement, present value calculation, annuity valuation, loan amortization, consumer financing arrangements, bond valuation. The course is aimed at a general audience who will not be continuing in the actuarial science program. Course manuals fee: $30.

Interest, discount and present values, as applied to determine prices and values of annuities, mortgages, bonds, equities; loan repayment schedules and consumer finance payments in general; yield rates on investments given the costs on investments. Course manuals fee: $45.

Term structure of interest rates, cashflow duration, convexity and immunization, forward and futures contracts, interest rate swaps, introduction to investment derivatives and hedging strategies.

Probability theory applied to survival and to costs and risks of life assurances, life annuities, and pensions; analysis of survival distributions; international actuarial notation. Course manuals fee: $35.

Determination of benefit premium and benefit reserves for life insurance and annuities; analysis of insurance loss random variables; theory of life contingencies for multiple lives. Course manuals fee: $40.

Actuarial applications of financial mathematics and economics.

The course offers an introduction to elementary probability theory and stochastic processes. The main goal of the course is to help actuarial students understand the concept of stochastic processes with particular emphasis on Markov chains that are of great importance in Life Contingencies and Property and Casualty insurance.

The course will cover the following topics: a basic review of probabilities with emphasis on conditional probabilities and expectations, discrete time Markov chains, Poisson processes, continuous time Markov chains, renewal theory and some applications, queueing theory.

Mathematical theory of financial derivatives, discrete and continuous option pricing models, hedging strategies and exotic option valuation.

Topics covered include reserving data and triangles, diagnoses methods that range from triangle of ratios of paid claims to reported claims to triangle of reported claim ratios. The syllabus also includes projection techniques. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course covers the basic ratemaking methods for P&C insurance. It assumes that students are familiar with traditional reserving diagnoses and projection methods. The syllabus would introduce concepts related to earning of exposures, on-level factors, catastrophe loading, large loss loading and credibility. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is preparation for an internship work term. It includes various professional skill workshops, networking activities and an invited speaker series. The course is mandatory for students in the Actuarial Science Specialist program. A limited number of spots in the course are open for students in the Actuarial Science Major program. Students in the major program must apply to the department for permission to take the course. This is a CR/NCR course.

Students do not pay a course fee for this course. Instead, a $550 ancillary fee will be assessed towards Professional Experience preparatory program costs.

Internship course for students enrolled in the Actuarial Science Specialist, fulfilled as a 12-week work term in a workplace related to actuarial science in third or fourth year. ACT390H1 must be completed first in preparation. Contact Department for more information. (No tuition fee associated, however an ancillary fee of $720 will be assessed towards Professional Experience placement.)

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Loss models policy adjustments, frequency and severity models, compound distributions.

Estimation of Loss and Survival Models using complete, censored and truncated data. Product-Limit estimation, empirical estimation, moment and percentile estimation, maximum likelihood estimation and simulation models.

Advanced life contingencies, multiple decrement theory, insurance policy expenses, multi-state transition models, Poisson processes.

Applications of the lognormal distribution, Brownian motion, geometric Brownian motion, martingales, Ito's lemma, stochastic differential equations, interest rate models, the Black-Scholes model, volatility, value at risk, conditional tail expectation.

Limited fluctuation credibility, Bayesian estimation, Buhlmann credibility, non-parametric credibility methods, inverse transformation simulation method, specialized simulation methods for the normal and lognormal distributions, Monte Carlo methods, the bootstrap method.

Topics in pension mathematics; funding methods for pension plans. (Offered in alternate years)

This course will cover current topics relevant to industry participants. Topics may include advanced modeling, pricing for different lines of business, financial conditions, regulatory impacts and current developments. Students will develop an understanding of key topics driving the industry today and some of the framework of reference used by actuarial practitioners for charting a course in areas of uncertainties.

(Offered in alternate years)

Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Case study approach to current issues in life insurance, pension consulting and casualty actuarial practice. The focus of the course will be on communication and presentation. This course is Pass/Fail. Not eligible for Credit/No Credit.  The course is open to students in the specialist program in actuarial science. Students in the major program in actuarial science can enrol into the course with permission of the department.

Case studies using leading actuarial application AXIS. Examine key types of insurance products and their pricing and valuation. Review representative developments in insurance regulations in US, Europe and Canada. Other topics include a brief introduction of the use of AI in life insurance.

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. Persons wishing to take this course must have the permission of the Undergraduate Secretary and of the prospective supervisor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. Persons wishing to take this course must have the permission of the Undergraduate Secretary and of the prospective supervisor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. Persons wishing to take this course must have the permission of the Undergraduate Secretary and of the prospective supervisor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. Persons wishing to take this course must have the permission of the Undergraduate Secretary and of the prospective supervisor. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

A multi-disciplinary study of Africa, emphasizing inquiry and critical analysis. Pre-colonial, colonial and contemporary African history, anthropology, politics, African humanism and society, religion, art, music, race, resistance, gender and Pan-Africanism.

A critical examination of Africa as a living space rather than merely a site of intellectual speculation and study. Uses scholarly and popular literature to explore the issues that engage the attention of ordinary Africans, ranging from the dramatic to the seemingly trivial, as they struggle to fashion meaningful lives in fast-changing societies. Topics include urban transition and city life; economic, political and cultural impacts of globalization; new religious movements and changing conceptions of selfhood; new African diasporas in the West; dynamics of gender relations, kinships and identities; and the politics of liberalization. Materials studied will include print and electronic news media and other mass media resources from Africa and across the world.

Introduction to grammar and basic vocabulary of Swahili. Emphasis on comprehension and oral practice. Reading of selected texts. Relation of the language to its East African cultural context.

An historical examination of Africa as a conceptual category, exploring discourses and representations - both African and non-African - that have produced our understandings of the meanings of Africa and Africanness.

Novels written in the last forty years by English, French and Portuguese-speaking Africans. Ideological views concerning colonialism and neo-colonialism. Tradition, religious and secular; the use of African symbolism. A small number of historical and sociological texts are recommended as essential background reading. Works not written in English are read in translation. (Offered in alternate years)

The exploration of a range of African cosmologies, epistemologies, and theologies, as well as specific case studies on justice, the moral order, and gender relations. The influence of these richly diverse traditions is traced as well in the writings of African thinkers in the Diaspora.

Critically explores the role of international organizations such as the World Bank Group, the UN and NGOs in the economic development of Africa.

Explores inter-state relations in Africa, African states’ relations with the West, China, India, Brazil, and international political, economic and financial institutions.

Critically examines scholarly debates on the relationships between African cultures and development in various regions of the continent. Draws on interdisciplinary scholarship and development discourses to enhance students' understanding of African conditions and cultures in the context of development thinking.

Examines the nature of youth languages and cultures in contemporary Africa with a focus on their characteristics and the conditions under which they develop. Also considers similarities and/or differences between youth languages and cultures in different regions of Africa and the general youth condition. Includes urban youth languages such as Sheng, Engsh, Tsotsitaal, etc. and music genres associated with youth such as hip hop, Bongo flava, etc. Discusses challenges and opportunities associated with African youth languages as they relate to questions of identity, national integration, regional integration, and development.

An upper level course. Topics of study vary from year to year.

An upper level course. Topics of study vary from year to year.

Examines the Horn of Africa, its diversity, geopolitics, cultural politics, present conditions and current debates through a critical and comparative lens. Considers social forces in contemporary politics within the region including competing claims, explanations of the underpinnings of the Horn's conflict, and the promise of peace. Draws upon interdisciplinary scholarship, public discourse, texts and media to reflect on the future of the Horn of Africa at this historical moment.

Explores the critical intersections between art, media and politics by analyzing the making and circulation of various indigenous and modern art forms and their use as creative and radical strategies for creative expression, dissent, citizenship, and alternative forms of representation, reimaginings, transcendence and agency in African post-colonial contexts, and interconnected with the African Diaspora.

An interdisciplinary exploration of the histories of nationalist and revolutionary movements, ideologies, and regimes in twentieth and twenty-first century Africa, examining the various ways that Africans imagined, actively shaped, and continue to demand freedom and political modernity. Emphasis will be placed on African history methodology (including oral history) and historiography to encourage students to apply a historical lens to approaching key themes and concepts in African Studies such as nationalism, decolonization, the state, politics, citizenship, labour movements, and pro-democracy movements.

Grammar and syntax. Conversation and written composition. Reading of texts: literary, journalistic. Relation of the language to its East African context.

Explores the geopolitics of Africa-Asia relations, in particular, the unabated and polarized debates and narratives on China’s engagement across sectors in Africa, ‘Africa-China’ multifaceted trade relations, strategies and interests, and economic diplomacy. Critically examines the changing landscape of economic cooperation and development financing in contemporary Africa, their underlying impulses and their broader implications.

This honours research seminar required of all specialists and majors in African Studies offers critical explorations of the genealogy of African Studies, the transnational study of Africa, Africa’s place in a globalized world, the historical, intellectual and institutional contexts of Africanist knowledge production, its dissemination and consumption in Africa, Europe, the Americas and emerging academic sites in Asia. It engages with the paradigm shifts and vibrant scholarly and epistemic debates across disciplines and geographies as well as unfolding events, public discourses, geopolitics, African popular cultures and the reimagining of African futures through canonical, emergent scholarship and creative media and emphasizes students’ original and creative research explorations, engaged praxis and search for alternative theorizing and decolonial epistemologies.

An upper level course. Topics of study vary from year to year.

Examines the choice of languages for education in East Africa using critical perspectives. Pays particular attention to the influences of the historical experience of colonialism, the socio-linguistic contours of each country and the strength of linguistic and educational lobby groups in East African countries.

Examines the choice of languages for education in East Africa using critical perspectives. Pays particular attention to the influences of the historical experience of colonialism, the socio-linguistic contours of each country and the strength of linguistic and educational lobby groups in East African countries.

Why do people move voluntarily or involuntarily? What are the causes and consequences of migration and displacement in Africa? This course critically examines the multifaceted dimensions of migration, mobility, and displacement, with a specific focus on communities and populations displaced by war, environmental destruction and disaster, economic failings, and the quest for economic opportunities, love, education, or individual freedom.

Examines conflicts and peace negotiations in African contexts such as Somalia, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and North Africa through public discourse, citizen actions, policy debates and mobilizations. Explores formal, informal, indigenous and institutional mediation and peace negotiation platforms, strategies, and impulses. Analyzes various conflict zones, case studies and intervention strategies for negotiating and sustaining peace in Africa in the broader context of the war on terror, increasing militarism, and securitization in peacebuilding.

An upper-level course. Topics of study vary from year to year.

A joint graduate/undergraduate upper-level seminar.  Topics vary from year to year, depending on the instructor.  Consult the Program Office for course enrolment procedures.

In cities across America, statues of past heroes are being kicked off their pedestals. As the republic grapples with conflicting histories, this course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of American Studies by considering the politics, history, aesthetics, ideologies and geographies of public memorialization. We’ll also critically engage with current research on creative acts of public memory – both digital and material – which offer provocative ways to encounter our collective pasts. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An interdisciplinary introduction to the study of the United States and to the field of American Studies. Drawing from a variety of source materials ranging from political and literary to visual culture and material artifacts, this course examines the politics, history and culture of the U.S. A major emphasis will be learning to analyze primary sources.

An interdisciplinary introduction to concepts key to the study of the United States in the world. Course materials will range from political, cultural, and literary theory to visual and material artifacts. Examining issues in the politics, history, and culture of the U.S., the course will give a grounding in the methods and ideas that make up the practice of American Studies.

This course, required for majors and minors but open to all who have met the pre-requisites, explores a range of approaches to the field of American Studies. Students will be introduced to some of the many ‘theories and methods’ that have animated the field of American Studies, including historical methods; formal analysis of visual and literary texts; and key concepts, such as commodity chain analysis; ‘race,’ ‘commodity,’ ‘gender,’ ‘diaspora,’ and ‘affect.’

An in-depth, interdisciplinary examination of a specific question concerning U.S. history, politics, and/or culture. Focus varies depending on instructor. Major emphases include reading critically and the initial steps of conducting original research.

An in-depth, interdisciplinary examination of a specific question concerning U.S. history, politics, and/or culture. Focus varies depending on instructor. Major emphases include reading critically and the initial steps of conducting original research.

An in-depth, interdisciplinary examination of a specific question concerning U.S. history, politics, and/or culture. Focus varies depending on instructor. Major emphases include reading critically and the initial steps of conducting original research.

An in-depth, interdisciplinary examination of a specific question concerning U.S. history, politics, and/or culture. Focus varies depending on instructor. Major emphases include reading critically and the initial steps of conducting original research.

In-depth examination of specific themes relating to American Studies.

In-depth examination of specific themes relating to American Studies.

In-depth examination of specific themes relating to American Studies.

In-depth examination of specific themes relating to American Studies.

Independent Studies. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Independent Studies. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Structure of the human body and its relationship to function. Basic human histology, gross anatomy and neuroanatomy. Some content is delivered using online modules.

Human embryology from fertilization to the end of the fetal period. Current concepts in mammalian morphogenesis applied to the development of the various organ systems; etiologies and pathogenesis of some of the more common human congenital abnormalities.

A focussed series of Anatomical dissections will be made and the surgical implications of the findings will be the subject of seminars. Attitudes to dissection of the human body, complications of surgery and other relevant issues will be discussed.

This course will cover musculoskeletal anatomy (both upper and lower limb) topics with an emphasis on applying detailed anatomical review, biomechanical principles and research evidence to explain or clarify exercise principles and myths.

This course introduces the anatomy and histology of stem cell niches in the adult and relates adult stem cells to organ function throughout the body. It is designed to build upon students’ knowledge of basic human anatomy and histology.

This course provides an opportunity for students to participate in an individual research project in a particular topic of study including, but not limited to histology, cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience and gross anatomy. Students are mentored and supervised by research scientists and faculty associated with the University of Toronto. These research project may include areas such as Histology, Cellular or Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Neuroanatomy or Gross Anatomy. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course provides an opportunity for students to participate in an individual research project in a particular topic of study including, but not limited to histology, cellular and molecular biology, developmental biology, neuroscience and gross anatomy. Students are mentored and supervised by research scientists and faculty associated with the University of Toronto. These research project may include areas such as Histology, Cellular or Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Neuroanatomy or Gross Anatomy. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

A research project in Histology, Cellular or Molecular Biology, Developmental Biology, Neuroanatomy or Gross Anatomy. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Society and culture from various anthropological perspectives: socio-cultural, evolutionary, archaeological, and linguistic. 

Anthropology has much to say about death. There is foundational literature on sacrifice, suicide, and the rites surrounding the end of life. Anthropology also has a lot to say about violence: war, conflict, revolution. But at the nexus of death and violence lies murder, a culturally and socially salient phenomenon that garners less scholarly attention. This seminar will explore what constitutes murder in different cultural and historical contexts, by reading across anthropology, cultural studies, and film studies. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Stone tools are the earliest and longest-lasting record of human technology. This course explores interpreting stone tools from a multidisciplinary perspective. In making, using, and studying stone tools, students will learn how archaeologists form hypotheses and design experiments to understand humans and their technologies in the past. This course presents research that investigate changes in human ancestors’ cognition and livelihoods through the contributions of other disciplines in life and social sciences to the study of stone tools. The course introduces major stone tool discoveries and critically engages with current research through the development of new ideas for research projects. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Anthropology has examined various ways human beings imagine and engage with non-human beings in their everyday lives in particular social and cultural contexts. By using manga and anime, specific popular cultural expressive modes developed in Japan, this course examines social and cultural aspects of human relationship with other beings, including but not restricted to animals, plants, microbes, technological objects and spirits from anthropological perspectives. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

How do the imagined worlds of speculative fiction reflect, and reflect upon, the real worlds of their authors and audiences? And on the other hand, how can works of speculative fiction have real-world impacts? Is speculative fiction different, in either of these respects, than other genres of narrative? This course explores a variety of works of speculative fiction from the perspective of an anthropological interest in ideas, imaginations, and narratives in relation to social life. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is a First-Year Foundation Seminar and provides an opportunity for exploration of different topics and themes. The course explores ideas of intellectuals who carved transformative theories during war times or under repressive regimes in the twentieth century. Intellectuals featured in the course include Rosa Luxemburg, Frantz Fanon, Walter Benjamin, Lu Xin, Audre Lorde. Further, it would examine cultural representations of them, such as, graphic novels, fictions, essays, films and videos on them or relatable to their ideas. For example, it would assign reading of Red Rosa, a graphic novel of Luxemburg together with her own work Theory of Imperialism. Or it would juxtapose Lorde’s classic, Sister Outsider, with Octavia Butler’s science fiction, Parable of the Sower. First-Year Foundation Seminars are restricted to first-year students and do not normally contribute towards program completion. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is a First-Year Foundation Seminar and provides an opportunity for exploration of different topics and themes. The distinction (or dualism) between nature and culture is often described as a central feature of the western cultural imagination and of “modernity.” The nature/culture dualism is also relevant to many current debates about ecology and environment. This course explores various approaches to “nature” through a variety of written and visual texts, and focuses on representations of the nature/culture dualism. First-Year Foundation Seminars are restricted to first-year students and do not normally contribute towards program completion. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

What do the Great Lakes mean to people living here? Especially Indigenous people? When and how do people care about the Great Lakes? Poems, stories, social science offer perspectives on the water from anthropology and arts. Field trips including paddling on a river, hiking; talks with local activists and artists. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

How did art and technology develop in the course of human evolution?  What led to the development of agriculture and settled village life?  How did social inequality and urbanism emerge?  This course takes a global perspective to explore the archaeological evidence that sheds light on these questions and other aspects of prehistory and early history.  Students will engage with the challenges posed by new discoveries and also with recent developments in archaeological method and theory.  The goal of the course is to involve students with the current state of archaeological research and some of the major issues archaeologists work to address.

This course examines where humans fit in the fabric of the natural world. It explores the history of ideas about humans in nature, humans as primates, the story of human evolution and modern human physical and genetic diversity.

A course focused on recent anthropological scholarship that seeks to understand and explain the transformation of contemporary societies and cultures. Topics may include some of the following: new patterns of global inequality, war and neo-colonialism, health and globalization, social justice and indigeneity, religious fundamentalism, gender inequalities, biotechnologies and society etc.

Introduction to medical anthropology with a focus on questions, methods, and insights from sociocultural anthropology. Explores the relationships among culture, society, and medicine with special attention to power, inequality, and globalization. Examples from many parts of the world, addressing biomedicine as well as other healing systems.

Society, culture, kinship, exchange, community, identity, politics, belief: these and other core concepts are explored in this course, which lays the foundation for advanced courses in social and cultural anthropology.

Introduction to applied evolutionary medical anthropology. It explores evidence for the evolution of human vulnerability to disease across the life cycle (conception to death) and implications for health of contemporary populations in behavioral ecological, cross-cultural, health and healing systems, historical trauma, intersectionality, and climate change, lenses.

This course provides a rigorous introduction to historical and contemporary relations between Indigenous peoples and anthropologists, spanning archaeology, biological/ evolutionary anthropology, and socio-cultural & linguistic fields. The course centers Indigenous experience, critique, and scholarship, and fosters students’ critical thinking skills as applied to the ethics and politics of anthropological research, past and present. The course is organised into three modules:

1.     Introduction to Indigenous peoples’ critiques and concerns regarding anthropology

2.     Understanding historical context of these issues

3.     In-depth discussion of current issues, oriented to emergent and possible future transformations in anthropology’s relations with Indigenous peoples.

This course introduces linguistic analysis with a view towards its application to the study of the relation between culture and social structure. The interplay of pronunciation, grammar, semantics, and discourse with rituals, ideologies, and constructions of social meaning and worldview are discussed in tandem with the traditional branches of linguistic analysisphonology, morphology, grammar, syntax, and semantics. The objective of the course is to provide a broad framework for understanding the role of language in society.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Practical field training through six weeks of excavation on an archaeological site. Basic principles of artifact handling and classification. (Offered only in Summer Session) Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An archaeological survey of the human prehistory of northwestern North America from the late Pleistocene to the time of early European contact. Geographical coverage will include the Northwest Coast, California, and the Intermontane Plateau.

Archaeology and ethnohistory of Arctic cultures. Emphasis is on variation in social organization, settlement pattern, economy, ideology, and interaction with the expanding European world-system.

This course examines the precontact and early contact period culture history of eastern North America, including Ontario, through archaeological evidence. Topics covered include the earliest peopling of the region at the end of the Ice Age, diversity of hunter-gatherer societies, introduction of agriculture, and the development of the dynamic First Nations societies who eventually met and interacted with Europeans.

This course offers a comparative examination of the rise and organization of ancient cities through a detailed investigation of urban social theory. We will explore competing anthropological interpretations of urban process while probing the political, ideological, and economic structures of the worlds earliest cities. Students will have the opportunity to consider a broad range of subjects, including mechanisms of city genesis; urban-rural relations; the intersections of city and state; and historical variation in urban landscapes, ideologies, and political economies.

This course examines human prehistory in North America, North of Mexico, from the time of earliest occupation to European contact. Special topics include Paleoindian and Archaic adaptations, the rise of complex hunter-gatherers, origins of farming and the evolution of complex chiefdoms.

This class offers intensive study of the archaeology and culture history of the Andean region prior to the Spanish conquest.  The complexity and distinctiveness of Andean social organization, political institutions, religious ideologies, and economic practices have long fascinated anthropologists.  Ultimately, the course will explore Andean cultures over a 10,000 year period, highlighting key debates, current research projects, and innovative theoretical approaches shaping contemporary archeological scholarship in South America and beyond.      

This course will present various perspectives on the nature and dynamics of youth culture. It will discuss the research accumulated over the past quarter century on youth lifestyles, from fashion and music to the formation and spread of slang. It will also look at the various critical and controversial aspects of adolescence in contemporary culture.

The course uses tourism as a lens to examine global connections. Particular focus will be on the politics of cultural encounters. Drawing examples from diverse ethnographic materials, the course explores how different visions of the world come into contact, negotiated and transformed, and how tourist encounters shape peoples everyday lives.

How do societies understand and manage their own diversity?  This course unites critical studies of multiculturalism and settler colonialism to study Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S., also examining strategies in other sites for managing diversity which are framed differently (e.g. superdiversity (Europe), co-existence (Japan), multiracialism (Hawai’i), mestizoness (Mexico)).

The role of language and symbolism in the representation and manipulation of ideology and power structure. Case materials drawn from the study of verbal arts, gender, law, advertising, and politics with a focus on North America.

This course provides background in the practical and theoretical aspects of fieldwork in Paleoanthropology. Students are trained in the treatment and analysis of fossil vertebrates, plant macro- and micro-fossils and sediments. Excursions to paleoanthropological localities of Homo erectus and Homo sapiens, and excavation at a hominoid site. (Joint undergraduate-graduate) Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Additional fees of up to $2500 for field trip costs will apply. The details and the application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate/curriculum-course-information/field-schools-and-research-opportunities. The application form should be submitted by the deadlines indicated on the website.

A survey of living primates, this lab-oriented course describes and compares the diverse behavioural and anatomical adaptations that are characteristic to this order of mammals. The understanding of the biological diversity and evolutionary history of primates is important for further understanding of human adaptation and evolution.

Exploration of the development and maintenance of the human skeleton and dentition, with emphasis on application to archaeological, forensic and biomedical sciences.

This course takes the student on a survey of human evolution from our ape ancestors to modern humans. Students will learn to identify skulls, teeth and limb bones, explore hundreds of casts, and learn how researchers understand human origins and trends in the development of human anatomy and behavior.

This course will explore the foundational and leading concepts in evolutionary anthropology. Historically important readings and current concepts will be presented and discussed in the context of research, especially in areas of human population biology, ecology and the evolution of Homo sapiens. Topics will include behavioral ecology and life history theory, as well as a critique of the adaptationist program.

This course will investigate human movement and physical activity patterns through the lens of evolutionary anthropology. The evolution of hominin physical behaviours, such as bipedalism and tool use, will be explored alongside the morphological traits associated with these behaviours. We will also examine social and cultural factors that may moderate physical activities among diverse human groups, including subsistence strategy variation and contemporary views on activity and exercise.

Molecular anthropology is an interdisciplinary field combining biology, genetics, evolution and anthropology. In this class, we will explore the use of DNA for the study of past migrations and admixture patterns, the evolution of pathogens, plant and animal domestication and especially the relationships between recent and archaic humans.

Provides a framework for understanding current anthropological issues in the different geo-political regions of Latin America. Special attention will be paid to historical/conceptual development of the discipline in the region, and the course will introduce a debate about the death and resurgence of area studies.

This course offers a general introduction to transformations in modern and contemporary China from an anthropological perspective. This course covers major aspects of Chinese culture, history, and society in a global context.

This course will examine the role of anthropology in the development, maintenance, as well as critique, of race as a concept and racism as a social, cultural, and structural reality. Topics include: the relationships among anthropology, race, and colonialism; the constructions of race as a social, cultural, and biological concept; ethnographic engagements with whiteness and white supremacy; and the future of anthropology as an anti-racist and anti-colonialist enterprise.

Gender concerns the ways that groups define and experience what it is to be male, female, or a gender identity in-between or outside of that binary, and in all societies the boundaries of gender categories are both policed and resisted. In this course we examine how gender is made materially, discursively, and through intersections with other structures of inequality (e.g. race, sexuality, class, etc.).

This course explores the conceptual and methodological tools anthropologists employ to study the ways social groups enact, resist, and transform social relations that involve the production and distribution of power. It studies how anthropologists theorize politics in relation to power, authority, coercion, and consent. Topics explored in this class include political cultures in state and statelessness societies, political affect and the politics of everyday life, hegemony and resistance, governmentality and bio-politics, violence and militarization, social movements and citizenship, and the difficulties of anthropological research in conflict zones.

This course examines medical anthropology's contributions to, and critiques of, global health policies and programs. Topics covered include: colonialism and health, the political ecology of disease, indigenous constructions of illness and healing, medical pluralism, the politics of primary health care, population policies, reproductive health, and AIDS.

Social anthropological perspective on the nature and meaning of food production, culinary cultures, industrial food, food as metaphor, and famine and hunger.

The role of culture, cultural diversity, space and performance in urban institutions and settings. The cultural context and consequence of urbanization.

This course deepens students’ understandings of health and illness as social, cultural, political and historical phenomena. Drawing on theories and approaches from social-cultural anthropology, students will develop skills in critical analysis of experiences and meanings of healing and illness in particular contexts, with a focus on anthropological critique of dominant health policies, discourses, technologies and practices.

This course introduces selective anthropological and ethnographic rendering of religion and theology; matter, magic and the miraculous; religion and media. It also engages with some political understandings of religious affects; the religious in movement; mystics and relics; religious practices and their entanglements in colonial histories.

Presents anthropological perspectives on provision of healthcare as a complex social and cultural phenomenon. Examines hierarchies and division of labour among health care providers, and how social groups come to occupy particular positions. Considers how knowledge and skills are gained through formal training and/or lived experience, how they are recognized and valued, and may become sources of identity. Examines local variations within biomedicine as practiced in different settings around the world.

It is widely acknowledged that sharp disparities in disease burden and access to medical care characterize global patterns in health. These disparities affect the life chances of much of the worlds population, based on class position, gender, and geographical region.

We tend to think of sports as unserious. This course shows that much serious cultural work is conducted through sports, but also that sports are indeed not always serious. This anthropology of sports engages with sports as both work and play, considering issues like gender, bodies, competition, and pleasure.

This course will examine the relationships between humans and the environment in the context of contemporary efforts to develop within or in opposition to the political economy of neoliberal globalization. We will critically examine the discourses of progress and environment within a broader theoretical inquiry of structure/agency and power.

Explores how anthropologists have traditionally studied social movements and how new social movements have challenged anthropologists to rethink some of their ethnographic methods and approaches. Some specific movements covered include those related to indigenous rights, environmentalism, refugees, gay and lesbian issues, biotechnology, new religions, and globalization.

What is “nature” and how does it relate to the way in which “culture” is conceptualized? How do race, class, gender, sexuality and ability structure our experiences of both nature and ourselves as human beings? This course explores these questions through engagements with a variety of texts.

An in-depth critical review of foundational ideas in the development of the practice of Anthropology. Topics may include questioning fieldwork, origins and legacies of functionalism, cultural materialism, politics of culture, power and political economy, globalization and post modernism, gender and post-structuralism.

This course explores the relationship between cultural property and everyday life through the themes of movement, ownership and value. Case studies, current events and debates help students understand how heritage is informed by the multiple values of cultural property.  This course addresses issues of cultural property and heritage in the contemporary world that are relevant to all subfields of anthropology.

Development, or deliberate intervention to improve the lives of people deemed to be lacking, or left behind, has shaped the modern world for at least a century. Drawing on historical and ethnographic studies, this course examines the trajectory of development as a concept and practice, and traces its effects.

The relationship between humans and other animals is one of the most hotly debated topics of our times. Through key classic and contemporary writings, this course introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of animal studies, and explores how anthropologists and other theorists have critically engaged in debates about animal and human distinctions.

This course introduces dialogue between anthropological literature and other disciplinary studies in regards to the economy and culture of gift and money transaction as a key aspect of human society. Studying the history of gift and money economy from agricultural societies and diverse developments of finance market culture in recent era through various perspectives (e.g., ethnographic, sociological, politico-economic, and historical views), this course aims to train students developing a critical understanding of capitalism.

This course introduces students to the skills they need to conduct ethnographic research, in particular, participant observation, in-depth interview, as well as writing fieldnotes and research proposals. The emphasis is on interactive, workshop-style small group learning.

This lecture-format course focuses on a relatively broad topic in socio-cultural and/or linguistic anthropology. Topics change from year to year. For the 2015-16 academic year, the title of this course is "Nature, Culture, Human".

This course combines lecture and discussion, and focuses on a topic in medical anthropology from a sociocultural perspective. Topics change from year to year. See Anthropology website for more details.

This is a course on material religion and mediation, kingdom and kinship, gender symbolisms and devotions, ecologies of selves and the histories of senses that infuse Catholicism. It challenges us to think about the importance of Catholicism as a global phenomenon expressed through socio-political and cultural practices of the everyday life.

This lecture-format course focuses on a relatively broad topic anthropology. Topics change from year to year. See Anthropology website for more details.

Studies in anthropology taken abroad. Areas of concentration vary depending on the instructor and year offered.

Studies in anthropology taken abroad. Areas of concentration vary depending on the instructor and year offered.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program . Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Core reduction strategies, replication, experimental archaeology, use-wear, design approaches, ground stone, inferring behaviour from lithic artifacts.

This course provides a comparative study of the emergence, organization, and transformation of the two historically-documented states of the native Americas: the Inka and the Aztec. Students will have the opportunity to analyze ethnohistorical and archaeological data in order to critically evaluate models of the pre-industrial state while gauging the anthropological significance of either convergence or particularity in the historical development of centralized political formations.

Archaeological survey, spatial analysis of archaeological evidence over landscapes and territories, and ways archaeologists attempt to interpret landscapes, regional settlement systems, agricultural land use, regional exchange and communication, and past people's perceptions of or ideas about landscape.

Examines the diversity of recent hunter-gatherer societies, as a source of analogues for understanding the archaeological record of past foraging peoples.

Seminar in the critical examination of major schools of archaeological thought.

Introduces the problems, methods and some of the material culture of colonial and industrial archaeology with emphasis on Canada and colonial America. Covers the use of documentary evidence, maps, architecture, and a variety of artifact classes.

Examination and interpretation of faunal material from archaeological sites as evidence for culture. The application form is posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted by the deadline indicated on the website.

This course offers a comparative survey of archaeological approaches to ritual practice as it relates to identity politics, personhood, and the negotiation of power relations in past societies. An important goal of the seminar is to introduce students to social theories on the inherent materiality of ritual performance, whether orchestrated in everyday practice or in elaborate religious and political spectacles.

Current research in Palaeolithic Archaeology reflecting emerging issues.

How social complexity is manifested in the archaeological record. Origins and evolution of prehistoric complex societies, from small-scale chiefdoms to large-scale states.

How ideas about language fit into the overall views of humankind as expressed by selected anthropologists, linguists, sociologists, and philosophers.

The history and present of western concepts and images about the ‘Other’, in anthropological and other scholarship and in popular culture.

The focus of this course is on the science of primate conservation biology in an anthropological context. Topics will include primate biodiversity and biogeography, human impacts, and conservation strategies/policies. The effects of cultural and political considerations on primate conservation will also be discussed.

Through fossil labs and lectures, we look back over 30 to 5 million years ago when apes roamed from Spain to China and Germany to Southern Africa. The fossil record of these apes, our ancestors, reveals how we evolved our large brains, dexterous hands, extended growth period and incredible intelligence. We encounter many surprises along the way, such as apes living with pandas in Hungary, animals with a mix of monkey, ape and pig traits and apes the size of polar bears. Of the more than 100 species of fossil apes known, only one gave rise to us.

Advanced exploration of the life histories of past populations, through the application of palaeodietary analyses, palaeopathology and other appropriate research methods.

A detailed review of the classic and recently emerging literature on the anthropology of children, childhood, and childcare. Focus is on theories for evolution of human parenting adaptations, challenges in research methodology and implications for contemporary research, practice and policy in the area of care and nutrition of infants and children.

This course will provide an overview of the ecology and social behavior of extant nonhuman primates. Topics will include socioecology, conservation biology, biogeography, aggression and affiliation, community ecology, communication, and socio-sexual behavior. There will also be extensive discussions of methods used in collecting data on primates in the field.

Virtual anthropology is a set of new methods that allow us to digitize objects, analyze, reconstruct and share them digitally, and bring them back into the real world. After a theoretical introduction, students will use surface scanners, photogrammetric software and 3D printers to digitize and study archaeological and anthropological specimens.

Taught by an advanced PhD student or postdoctoral fellow, and based on his or her doctoral research and area of expertise, this course presents a unique opportunity to explore intensively a particular Evolutionary Anthropology topic in-depth. Topics vary from year to year.

Beginning with anthropology's early work on kinship, and ending with recent analyses of sex work and the globalization of ideologies of romantic love and companionate marriage, this course will investigate how emotional and sexual relationships are produced, used, conceptualized, and experienced both within particular societies and transnationally.

As of 2007, for the first time in human history, more than half the world’s peoples lived in cities. It is estimated that by 2030 over 60% will be urban-dwellers. This demographic shift suggests that for many (if not most) people, their primary encounter with “nature” will be urban based. This course explores the idea of “urban-nature” by 1) focusing on the ways in which various theorists have challenged traditional ways of viewing both “the city” and “nature” and 2) encouraging students to develop their own critical perspectives through ethnographic engagements with the city of Toronto.

This course explores the literature and concerns of anthropologists conducting ethnographic research in the greater Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It is designed for students with a background in social and cultural anthropology who wish to become familiar with the social and religious complexity of the MENA region, and the anthropological questions it has compelled. Islam has long been the area's principal social and historical force and thus provides the backdrop for much, but not all, of the ethnography considered in the course. Moreover, Muslim majority MENA countries exhibit considerable social and sectarian diversity. Readings and lectures attend to differences as well as resemblances, while considering issues such as gender roles, kinship, marriage, local level practices, medicine, secularism, 'public Islam,' nationalism, and the persistent problem of orientalism.

This course explores, first, how and where forms of desire and sexual practice have become sites of anthropological inquiry and exemplars of particular cultural logics. Tracing, then, the transnational turn in the anthropology of sexuality, the course engages important debates about culture, locality, and globalization. By focusing on the transnational movement of desires, practices, and pleasures through activisms, mass media, and tourism, the course asks how sex is global and how globalization is thoroughly sexed. Course material will stress, but not be limited to, forms of same-sex or otherwise queer sexualities.

The course addresses the cultural and social significance of material culture in specific cultural settings, and the role that artifacts have played in the history of anthropological thought from early typological displays to the most recent developments of material culture studies.

This course draws on anthropological and historical literatures to explore the relationship between the health of Indigenous people and Canadian settler-colonialism. In conceptualising this relationship, we focus on critical analysis of the role of biomedical health-care systems in settler-colonial governmentality, and how history is understood in discourses on Indigenous health.

This course introduces perspectives which extend anthropological inquiry beyond the solely human realm. Building on an acknowledgement of the fundamental interconnectedness of humans and other life forms, it explores the agencies of other-than-humans, including nonhuman animals, land and seascapes, plants, bacteria, “contaminants,” and others. The course involves field-site visits and fieldwork projects in Toronto (GTA region) and engages with ethnographic methodologies best suited to investigations of inter-species, inter-life form relationships.

This fourth-year seminar examines how female gender shapes health and illness. Using case studies of sexual health, fertility and its management, substance use/abuse, mental health, and occupational/labor health risks, the course investigates the material, political, and socio-cultural factors that can put women at risk for a range of illness conditions.

This course examines how anthropologists have studied the way that people hope, imagine, love, and despise. Ethnography of the intimate realms of affect raises important questions about knowledge production and methodology as well as offering insight into how people come to act upon the world and what the human consequences of such action are. The course will also examine how the intimate is socially produced and harnessed in the service of politics and culture. Topics will include grief and its lack; dreams and activism; love and social change; memory and imperialism; sexuality and care; and violence and hope.

Black populations in the African Diaspora defy simple characterizations. In this course, we will examine the experiences of Black people through an ethnographic exploration of their lives. The close analysis of ethnographic monographs and articles will illuminate the ways in which race, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality, ability, nationality, and other factors, shape the everyday for Black people in different cultural contexts. An additional focus will be a consideration of the experiences of Black anthropologists as ethnographers and scholars who are broadening anthropological discourses.

This course examines how what we know as Japan and its culture has been constructed through global interactions. Topics include gender and sexuality, race and ethnicity, social and family life, work and leisure, and Japanese identity amid changing global power relations.

Students carry out original ethnographic research projects on some aspect of life in the University of Toronto: its students, staff and faculty; its hierarchies and habits; and the everyday practices in classrooms, labs, dining halls, offices, clubs, and residence corridors. Class time is used for collective brainstorming, feedback and analysis.

This course examines HIV/AIDS globally and ethnographically focusing on how gendered political economies create HIV vulnerability; the experiences of sexual minorities; how religious institutions shape practices of social care and exclusion; and anthropological critiques of HIV awareness campaigns and counseling as sites of governmentality.

Students read several full-length ethnographies, both classical and contemporary, and debate what makes for sound ethnographic research and writing, as well as what ethnography is and "should" be as a genre of writing and representation.

This seminar class examines 'the body' as a historically and culturally contingent category, the material site and means of practice, and a foundation point for identity and self-fashioning. We consider the relevance of cultural meanings to biomedical practices, the centrality of the body to consumer techno-society, and the body’s role as a locus of experience, political inscription, and struggle.

This course addresses reading ethnography as a tool to understand compressed and complex modernity such as Korean societies, both in and outside of the Korean peninsula. In particular, this course aims to develop students’ critical thinking on class, ethnicity, gender, family, and migration in Korea and diasporic societies of Koreans in Canada, China, Japan, and US.

Unique opportunity to explore a particular anthropological topic in-depth. Topics vary from year to year.

Unique opportunity to explore in-depth a particular topic in Evolutionary Anthropology. Topics vary from year to year.

This course will focus on an advanced topic in Linguistic Anthropology. Topic will vary from year- to-year.

Unique opportunity to explore a particular Social Cultural Anthropology topic in-depth. Topics vary from year to year.

Taught by an advanced PhD student or postdoctoral fellow, and based on his or her doctoral research and area of expertise, this course presents a unique opportunity to explore intensively a particular Socio-cultural or Linguistic Anthropology topic in-depth. Topics vary from year to year.

Unique opportunity to explore a particular Social Cultural Anthropology topic in-depth. Topics vary from year to year.

This discussion-based seminar course focuses on a topic in medical anthropology. Topics change from year to year. See Anthropology website for more details.

An instructor-supervised experiential study project in social and cultural anthropology. Course takes place in an off-campus setting. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course is an opportunity to apply acquired knowledge in anthropology or archeology in a work placement environment. Opportunities may include local community organizations, international development organizations, museum or heritage projects, or media production projects. Only internships that require knowledge and skills in anthropology and/or archeology will be considered. Student must fulfill responsibilities of the internship as well as complete a final research paper. If qualified, the student’s internship supervisor will mark the final paper for the course; if not, an appropriate academic supervisor will be assigned from within the Dept. of Anthropology. Restricted to students in a Specialist or Major program in Anthropology. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

This course is an opportunity to apply acquired knowledge in anthropology or archeology in a work placement environment. Opportunities may include local community organizations, international development organizations, museum or heritage projects, or media production projects. Only internships that require knowledge and skills in anthropology and/or archeology will be considered. Student must fulfill responsibilities of the internship as well as complete a final research paper. If qualified, the student’s internship supervisor will mark the final paper for the course; if not, an appropriate academic supervisor will be assigned from within the Dept. of Anthropology. Restricted to students in a Specialist or Major program in Anthropology. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and supervisor before enrolment in the course. Open in exceptional circumstances to advanced students with a strong background in Anthropology. Course Supervisor must be a member of the Anthropology faculty. A maximum of one year of Independent Research courses is allowed per program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and supervisor before enrolment in the course. Open in exceptional circumstances to advanced students with a strong background in Anthropology. Course Supervisor must be a member of the Anthropology faculty. A maximum of one year of Independent Research courses is allowed per program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and supervisor before enrolment in the course. Open in exceptional circumstances to advanced students with a strong background in Anthropology. Course Supervisor must be a member of the Anthropology faculty. A maximum of one year of Independent Research courses is allowed per program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

Introduction to linear programming including a rapid review of linear algebra (row reduction, matrix inversion, linear independence), the simplex method with applications, the duality theorem, complementary slackness, the dual simplex method and the revised simplex method.

This course examines the relationship between legal reasoning and mathematical logic; provides a mathematical perspective on the legal treatment of interest and actuarial present value; critiques ethical issues; analyzes how search engine techniques on massive databases transform legal research and considers the impact of statistical analysis and game theory on litigation strategies.

NOTE

This course counts as 0.5 credit in BR=3 and 0.5 credit in BR=5.

This course will only contribute 0.5 credit to the Math Minor program.

Sturm-Liouville problems, Green's functions, special functions (Bessel, Legendre), partial differential equations of second order, separation of variables, integral equations, Fourier transform, stationary phase method.

An overview of mathematical modelling. A variety of approaches for representing physical situations mathematically followed by analytical techniques and numerical simulations to gain insight. Questions from biology, economics, engineering, medicine, physics, physiology, and the social sciences formulated as problems in optimization, differential equations, and probability. Precise content varies with instructor.

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. Topic must be outside undergraduate offerings. Similar workload to a 36L course. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course requires an application. Completed applications for this course are due to the Math Undergraduate Program Office no later than the third day of the term that the reading course will start.

Key concepts and mathematical structure of Quantum Mechanics, with applications to topics of current interest such as quantum information theory. The core part of the course covers the following topics: Schroedinger equation, quantum observables, spectrum and evolution, motion in electro-magnetic field, angular momentum and O(3) and SU(2) groups, spin and statistics, semi-classical asymptotics, perturbation theory. More advanced topics may include: adiabatic theory and geometrical phases, Hartree-Fock theory, Bose-Einstein condensation, the second quantization, density matrix and quantum statistics, open systems and Lindblad evolution, quantum entropy, quantum channels, quantum Shannon theorems.

Joint undergraduate/graduate course - APM421H1/MAT1723H

Einstein's theory of gravity. Special relativity and the geometry of Lorentz manifolds. Gravity as a manifestation of spacetime curvature. Einstein's equations. Cosmological implications: big bang and inflationary universe. Schwarzschild stars: bending of light and perihelion precession of Mercury. Topics from black hole dynamics and gravitational waves. The Penrose singularity theorem.

Joint undergraduate/graduate course - APM426H1/MAT1700H

Asymptotic series. Asymptotic methods for integrals: stationary phase and steepest descent. Regular perturbations for algebraic and differential equations. Singular perturbation methods for ordinary differential equations: W.K.B., strained co-ordinates, matched asymptotics, multiple scales. (Emphasizes techniques; problems drawn from physics and engineering)

Partial differential equations appearing in physics, material sciences, biology, geometry, and engineering. Nonlinear evolution equations. Existence and long-time behaviour of solutions. Existence of static, traveling wave, self-similar, topological and localized solutions. Stability. Formation of singularities and pattern formation. Fixed point theorems, spectral analysis, bifurcation theory. Equations considered in this course may include: Allen-Cahn equation (material science), Ginzburg-Landau equation (condensed matter physics), Cahn-Hilliard (material science, biology), nonlinear Schroedinger equation (quantum and plasma physics, water waves, etc). mean curvature flow (geometry, material sciences), Fisher-Kolmogorov-Petrovskii-Piskunov (combustion theory, biology), Keller-Segel equations (biology), and Chern-Simons equations (particle and condensed matter physics).

Joint undergraduate/graduate course - APM446H1/MAT1508H

A selection of topics from such areas as graph theory, combinatorial algorithms, enumeration, construction of combinatorial identities.

Joint undergraduate/graduate course - APM461H1/MAT1302H

An introduction to first and second order conditions for finite and infinite dimensional optimization problems with mention of available software. Topics include Lagrange multipliers, Kuhn-Tucker conditions, convexity and calculus of variations. Basic numerical search methods and software packages which implement them will be discussed.

Introduction to the basic mathematical techniques in pricing theory and risk management: Stochastic calculus, single-period finance, financial derivatives (tree-approximation and Black-Scholes model for equity derivatives, American derivatives, numerical methods, lattice models for interest-rate derivatives), value at risk, credit risk, portfolio theory.

Joint undergraduate/graduate course - APM466H1/MAT1856H

Independent study under the direction of a faculty member. Topic must be outside current undergraduate offerings. Similar workload to a course that has 36 lecture hours. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Completed applications for this course are due to the Math Undergraduate Program Office no later than the third day of the term that the reading course will start.

This course explores ways that archaeologists investigate research questions and interpret archaeological evidence. It introduces some of the main conceptual tools that archaeologists use to make inferences, including analogy, ethnoarchaeology, and experimental archaeology. It also uses practical exercises to help students understand the basic logic of some of the methods that archaeologists use in their research, such as dating methods and identification of spatial patterns. This prepares students for more advanced courses in archaeology.

Intensive instruction in archaeological field methods and acquisition of field skills, including archaeological search and survey, site mapping, laying out excavation grids, use of theodolites, total station, and GPS, stratigraphic excavation, stratigraphy, field recording, screening sediment, Ontario license and reporting requirements. Normally this course would take place on campus in the summer. This course has a mandatory Lab Materials Fee of $25 to cover non-reusable materials.  The fee will be included on the student’s ACORN invoice. The details and application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate/curriculum-course-information/field-schools-and-research-opportunities. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

An analysis of ethics in contemporary archaeology that covers reburial and repatriation, interpretation of the archaeological record in the context of historically oppressed groups, ethnic minorities, and non-western societies, the ethics of collecting and managing cultural property, relationships with the media, the debates surrounding looting, and other issues.

Techniques for making archaeological data meaningful after excavation or survey. Archaeological measurements, compilation of data, database design, archaeological systematics, and sampling theory in the context of lithics, pottery, floral, faunal and other archaeological remains.

From earliest times through the rise of complex hunter-gatherers, and the food producing revolution to politically complex societies in Southwest Asia.

Opportunity for students participating in non-degree credit archaeological digs to submit reports, field notes and term papers for degree credit. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

Opportunity for students participating in non-degree credit archaeological digs to submit reports, field notes and term papers for degree credit. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

With the increasing availability of powerful computers and software, 3D modeling and recording has become commonplace in archaeology, architectural history, museum studies, and other areas of cultural heritage research. In this course, students will learn about a powerful new method for 3D recording known as photogrammetry. After a series of tutorials, they will gain firsthand experience creating their own models of various subjects, such as historical architecture and public art in Toronto, and museum objects on campus. They will also learn how to analyze and present 3D content, while thinking critically about the impact of how digital tools are currently being employed by and shaping the agendas of researchers in archaeology, art history, and related fields.

Unique opportunity to explore a particular archaeological topic in-depth. Topics vary from year to year.

Taught by an advanced PhD student or postdoctoral fellow, and based on his or her doctoral research and area of expertise, this course presents a unique opportunity to explore intensively a particular Archaeology topic in-depth. Topics vary from year to year.

Laboratory or practical research on an archaeological project that emphasizes methods and research design in archaeology. Students must obtain the consent of a Supervisor before enrolling. Students are required to give an oral presentation of research results to an open meeting of the Archaeology Centre at the conclusion of the course. Application must be made to the Anthropology Department. Not eligible for CR/NCR option. Instructions on how to obtain an application form are posted on the following website: https://www.anthropology.utoronto.ca/undergraduate. The application form should be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of classes.

Our place in the Universe. Phenomena we see in the sky. What we know about the Sun, the planets and comets, and the formation of the solar system – and how we know it. What makes planets suitable for life. Finding out about the nearest stars and their planets. This course is intended for students with no science or engineering background.

The origin of the Universe and all that it contains, from the chemical elements, stars and galaxies, and life. The course is intended for students who are enrolling in science and engineering courses.

There are some fundamental questions which humankind has asked itself over the centuries. Many of these involve astronomical origins, events, and objects. Astronomers now have the tools with which to attempt to answer some of the most fundamental questions, such as "Where did it all begin, where are we in space and time, are we alone, and who and what are we?" This seminar will explore some of these great issues. The selection of topics will be made initially by the instructor, but will be modified by the seminar participants at the first class meeting. Topics could include: stellar evolution and the future of the Sun, origin of the elements, origin and future of the Universe, origin of the Earth, origin of life, and extinction of the dinosaurs, global warming, the scientific method, astronomy and the public. Participants will be expected to join actively in lively discussions and to prepare and lead some of the seminars. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This seminar series aims at building up general scientific literacy, by discussing selected topics in current astronomy, cosmology, and space science. We will delve into the physical foundation behind the questions being asked and how the answers are being sought. Students will have an opportunity early in the course to select topics of particular interest to them and this will govern the choice of readings as well. Topics could include: formation of stars; lives and deaths of stars; stellar corpses: white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes; planets around other stars; recent results from Hubble and other telescopes; architecture of the solar system; exploration in the solar system; the invisible universe: dark energy and dark matter; first light; formation of galaxies; the age and future of the universe. Participants should be comfortable with basic mathematics and quantitative reasoning. Students will be expected to do independent research for essays, presentations, etc. Restricted to first-year students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

What we know about the properties and life cycles of stars, of galaxies, and of the Universe itself – and how we know it. How astronomers develop methods for understanding phenomena that span such vast ranges in distance and time. This course is intended for students with no science or engineering background.

From the Copernican Revolution to twentieth century astrophysics. Emphasis is placed on the process of discovery which has led to major advances in knowledge about the Universe. The course includes an outline of some of the most significant puzzles of our day and an examination of the potential for new revolutions in our knowledge. This course is best suited to science students.

The (astro)physics of stars and planets, their observed variety, their structure, formation and evolution. Introduction to telescopes and instrumentation.

The (astro)physics of stellar systems, galaxies, and the Universe, their structure, formation, and evolution.

Scholarly discussion of the probability that there are planets with life elsewhere in the universe, from the perspective of current ideas concerning the origin and evolution of the universe, the solar system and life. Search techniques and possibilities for interstellar travel and space colonies are discussed.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program . Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

A hands-on introduction to telescopes and observational astronomy for students with little experience in the physical sciences. Through laboratory exercises and observations of the sky, students will learn the techniques that have enabled the major discoveries of modern astronomy, from the expansion of the universe to the existence of Earth-like planets orbiting other stars. Hands-on activities will teach how telescopes work and how we can measure the distances, motion, and chemical composition of celestial objects. Basic arithmetic is used, but no advanced mathematics. This course is intended for students without a formal science background to gain experience with hands-on observational astronomy.

An in-depth exploration of astronomy, the Solar System, and the night sky through the lens of Indigenous knowledges, primarily that of Indigenous peoples from Turtle Island. Indigenous peoples have lived on Turtle Island since time immemorial and have a sophisticated relationship with the night sky that is influenced by their worldviews and their relationships with the land. In this course, students will learn about Indigenous perspectives for understanding nature and astronomy and learn to understand astronomy through these perspectives. Students will also learn about the intersection of western astronomy and ongoing colonization to understand the responsibilities of western astronomers for respecting treaties and Indigenous rights as well as presenting an Indigenous lens regarding space exploration.

The formation, equilibrium and evolution of structure on all astronomical scales from the largest to the smallest: universe, clusters of galaxies, galaxies, clusters of stars, gas clouds and stars.

Through experiment and observation, develop the core skills to collect, reduce, and interpret astronomical data. Develop understanding and usage of telescopes, instruments, and detectors; reduction and analysis methods; simulations and model fitting; data and error analysis.

Through experiment and observation, develop the core skills to collect, reduce, and interpret astronomical data.  Develop understanding and usage of telescopes, instruments, and detectors; reduction and analysis methods; simulations and model fitting; data and error analysis. This course is an expanded version of AST325H1 that gives a wider exposure to practical astronomy.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

A literature study that develops methods and skills applicable to research in the physical sciences, with an emphasis on communication, including writing proposals and reports, and delivering presentations. This course is intended for students in the final year of the Astronomy & Astrophysics Major. Students are required to attend the weekly departmental colloquia and G2000 talks. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

A research project done in consultation with an individual staff member in the Department leading to a detailed written report and oral presentation. This course is intended for students in the final year of the Astronomy and Physics specialist program. Students must enrol with the Undergraduate Secretary of the Department. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice of, and under the direction of, a staff member. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice of, and under the direction of, a staff member. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An individual study program chosen by the student with the advice of, and under the direction of, a staff member. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An opportunity for specialized individual research in bioinformatics and computational biology by arrangement with a supervisor. Approval of the application by the BCB coordinator is required.  Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Practical introduction to concepts, standards and tools for the implementation of strategies in bioinformatics and computational biology. Student led discussions plus a strong component of hands-on exercises.

Current approaches to using the computer for analyzing and modeling biology as integrated molecular systems. Lectures plus hands-on practical exercises. The course extends and complements an introductory Bioinformatics course, such as BCH441H1.

An opportunity for advanced specialized individual research in bioinformatics and computational biology by arrangement with a supervisor. Approval of the application by the BCB coordinator is required.  BCB330Y1 is a recommended preparation for this course however students should not normally conduct their project in the same laboratory or continue their previous project. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This introductory course in biochemistry will cover the fundamentals of proteins, enzymes, biological membranes and the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids for energy production. This course is intended for students who are NOT taking BCH242Y1 as part of their program.

This introductory course in biochemistry will serve as the foundation for upper-level BCH courses taken by students specializing in biochemistry and related specialist programs. The major topics include protein structure, enzyme mechanisms and function, gene expression, lipid and membrane structure and function, and the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids for energy production. Laboratory techniques will also be introduced to understand the role of biochemistry for research. Please note that there are five laboratories accompanying this course. (Lab fees:$10)

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Nucleic acids and flow of information in biological systems. Information storage and transmission by nucleic acids, as well as new molecular technologies will be discussed. Registration in one of the tutorial sessions is mandatory. Note: Students that have a SDF in BCH210H1 are not permitted to enrol in BCH311H1 until a final passing grade (50%) appears on the transcript. BCH2** WITH COURSE EXCLUSION TO BCH210H1 meets the prerequisite requirement for BCH311H1.

Proteins are the main functional units in the cell. In this course, a detailed overview of protein structure and function will be given with strong emphasis on the basic principles in the field. Students will be introduced to folded and intrinsically disordered proteins. Biophysical methods to study protein stability and folding will be discussed, as well as experimental approaches to determine protein structure and function. Students will be introduced to catalysis, kinetics, and the mechanisms that regulate enzyme activity. Finally, proteomic methods to studying protein networks in cells will be presented. The course will offer a solid basis in protein biochemistry. It is recommended for those interested in pursuing graduate studies or professional degrees in health or medicine.

This course is designed to provide hands-on experience at an introductory level, employing a variety of biochemical techniques commonly used in research and clinical diagnostic laboratories. This course is intended for students who are not proceeding further in biochemistry. It is highly recommended that students take this course in their third year as space is limited and priority will go to third-year students. This course will be offered in the FALL & WINTER terms. Attendance in the first week of class is mandatory in order to receive safety information and laboratory protocols. (Enrolment limited.) (Lab fees: $40)

This course provides opportunities to pursue an original individual research project in a particular area of biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Biochemistry Department faculty member. Students are responsible for arranging for supervision by a Biochemistry Department faculty member. To apply for enrolment, students are required to complete the application form by contacting the Course Coordinator by the end of April. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course provides an opportunity for individual research with a specific topic of study. Students are mentored and supervised by research scientists and faculty associated with the University of Toronto. It provides students an opportunity to enhance and apply their knowledge and understanding learned in other courses. Direct supervision must be provided by a faculty member within the Department of Biochemistry. Not eligible for the CR/NCR option.

This course provides opportunities to pursue an original individual research project in a particular area of biochemistry, under the direct supervision of a Biochemistry Department faculty member. Students are responsible for arranging for supervision by a Biochemistry Department faculty member. To apply for enrolment, students are required to complete the application form by contacting the Course Coordinator before the end of August. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

This course provides an opportunity for individual research with a specific topic of study. Students are mentored and supervised by research scientists and faculty associated with the University of Toronto. It provides students an opportunity to enhance and apply their knowledge and understanding learned in other courses. Direct supervision must be provided by a faculty member within the Department of Biochemistry. Not eligible for the CR/NCR option.

An introduction to fundamental laboratory techniques in modern biochemistry. Experiments illustrate and develop the concepts described in lecture courses and serve as a foundation for more advanced training in biochemistry laboratory courses. Enrollment in this course is generally restricted to students enrolled in the Biochemistry, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics & Microbiology (Genetics Stream) Specialist programs. (Lab fees: $25)

This course builds upon the fundamental laboratory techniques acquired in BCH377H1. Students gain hands-on experience in experimental design and data analysis, exploring numerous modern and classic biochemistry and molecular biology experimental techniques used in research laboratories. Enrolment in this course is generally restricted to students enrolled in the Biochemistry Specialist program.

Credit course for supervised participation in faculty research project. Details at https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-opportunities-program. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Structural features of membrane proteins, their biogenesis and methods of analysis. Function of membrane proteins as transporters, channels, pumps and receptors. Molecular aspects of disease processes linked to membrane proteins.

Theory of modern biophysical techniques as applied to the study of the structure and function of macromolecules; emphasis on X-ray crystallography, electron cryomicroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and other spectroscopic methods.

This course is focussed on the molecular aspects of signal transduction, covering how cells receive and then transmit signals via intracellular proteins such as kinases and phosphatases and how this ultimately regulates cell function. Specific topics covered may include calcium regulation and signalling by extracellular ligands including morphogens, growth factors and/or insulin.

There is a growing appreciation that microbes do not operate in isolation but form parts of larger populations and communities (microbiomes) with unique considerations for human health. Combining lectures, small group discussions, and a computer lab component, this course will cover how genomics can be applied to analyze microbial communities and the transformative discoveries that continue to result.

Protein homeostasis is dependent on the coordinated synthesis, folding, localization and degradation of the thousands of proteins in a living cell. This course deals with selected aspects of the process with emphasis on: i) protein folding and the role of chaperones, ii) protein degradation via the ubiquitin proteasome system, iii) protein folding and quality control in the ER and iv) ER-associated degradation and the unfolded protein response. The course will serve as a foundation for those with an interest in how cellular protein levels and conformations are maintained.

This course examines the molecular details of the secretory and endocytic pathways in the cell. Some of the specific topics covered will include protein translocation into the ER, chaperones and protein folding in the ER, retrotranslocation and protein degradation, the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), vesicle biogenesis and ER-Golgi transport, regulated secretion, basic concepts in endocytosis and protein sorting in polarized cells. Emphasis is placed on current experimental approaches. A good understanding of basic biochemical methods is an asset.

Advanced principles and concepts of cell biology are covered, including the structure, life cycle, and dynamic behavior of cell organelles. The cellular processes regulated by organelles, including the life and death of the cell and cellular communication, are highlighted. The course will also cover techniques and technologies that have advanced studies of the cell.

This course covers the principles and concepts related to molecular cell biology of the cell surface in multicellular organisms. Topics include: biophysical properties of cells, membranes, and extracellular matrix, dynamic remodelling of the cytoskeleton; cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions; maintenance of planar and apical-basal cell polarity; cytokinesis, viral uptake by macropinocytosis and engulfment by phagocytosis. In addition to lectures, groups of students will interpret a recent scientific paper related to the course material to be formally presented during regular class hours.